No Show...to Court We Go?

Does your contract say anything about what she owes you if she cancels? Did you try to ask her to pay before filing a claim? I would honestly try to settle this outside of court but if you already filed I guess just continue and hope they make her pay.

Absolutely. Losing a cellphone is not a legit reason to breach a contract. You may not get the additional $500 you had to pay extra for the MUA you used, but you should be able to get what you paid the original one.

The issue with small claims court is sometimes it's HARD to get your money once you win your case. We're involved in one right now where the sheriff's are searching for property to seize because the defendant didn't show up and won't pay us. Hopefully that doesn't happen to you and she just owns up and pays you through mediation first!

I'm so sorry you're having to go through this! You already paid her and she didn't show up - that's a legitimate reason to take legal action

While I understand you want to take legal action against her because she did breach her contract with you. I would first look over your contract and see if she is liable for anything like this. Second, I'm not sure what state you are in but where I am it is a $144 dollars to file a small claims action against someone, if you involve a lawyer and retain a lawyer that can range from 500-even 2000 just for a retainer. Not to mention time in court and lawyer fees that add up quick. If you did win these attorney's fees should be paid for but that is never a guarantee. I'm just pointing out by the time you pay these it's going to be well over the 500 you paid another makeup artist to come.

View Quoted Comment

Hi Sarah! Thank you for your response. The contract states that if she cancels for a reason out of her control such as a natural disaster then she only owes me the deposit. I did try to settle with her outside of court but she refused. I even offered a payment plan but she was adamant that she didn't owe me anything.

View Quoted Comment

Hi Victoria! Thank you for your response. I actually took her to The People's Court and won my case. I was just wondering if everyone would continue in wedding bliss or handle business.

View Quoted Comment

Hi Cher! Thank you for your response. Prior to the wedding I only paid her a small deposit but I still felt she owed the additional I had to pay.

View Quoted Comment

Hi Kelsey! Thank you for your response. The contract states that if she cancels for a reason out of her control such as a natural disaster then she only owes me the deposit. I did try to settle with her outside of court but she refused. I actually took her to court and won my case plus the court fees I had to pay. I was just wondering if everyone would let the situation go and continue in wedding bliss or take her to court and handle business. I guess I could have given more detail in my initial discussion post.

I'm glad you won. I probably would have done the same

I've never taken someone to small claim's court but it seems like you did the right thing. So sorry that happened to you!

View Quoted Comment

Congratulations on winning your case - so glad everything worked out for you!

View Quoted Comment

Hi Kelly! Thank you for your response. Initially I wasn't going to take her to court because I thought it would interfere in our wedding vibes but the makeup artist handled the situation so unprofessionally it was necessary to go to court.

View Quoted Comment

Hi Allie! Thank you for your response. It was my first time taking someone to court but I thought it was necessary.

View Quoted Comment

Thank you! It's a shame I had to take it that far though.

View Quoted Comment Okay, that would SERIOUSLY piss me off! First of all, losing a cell phone does not qualify as a natural disaster and second, it is definitely a situation that is in her own control! She could have borrowed a phone and used that phone's GPS to get to your appointment. If she doesn't think she owes you anything, then she really needs to re-evaluate the way her contracts are written. Losing a cellphone is a stupid excuse. If she couldn't make your wedding, then she should have contacted you weeks ago to give you time to find someone new!

View Quoted Comment Hi Mrs B! Thank you for your response. I totally agree with you. I was really upset at first but luckily I had an amazing wedding planner who found another makeup artist quickly.

Yes, I would have taken her to court too. I'm glad you did--and that you won!!!! Losing your cell phone is no excuse for standing up a bride on her wedding day!! How rude! And that's just irresponsible if you ask me.

If this is how she runs her business, I suspect she won't be in business for long!! Really sloppy business practices.

I don't know if you've considered this yet, but in addition to taking her to court for the money you lost and the scramble you had to go through, but I also would get on Yelp and give her a terrible review, stating exactly what she did. Other brides may be considering hiring her, and you wouldn't want this to happen to anyone else. Better to put the truth out there.

View Quoted Comment

Hi Cristy! Thank you for your response. I couldn't believe that she didn't want to take any responsibility because she lost her phone. Her professionalism was the worst I've seen. She doesn't have her small business on Yelp but if she did I would definitely leave a review.

View Quoted Comment Thank G-d you had a wedding planner! Many brides don't have one for various reasons. (My mom and FMIL are my planners, since my mom planned two weddings before.) It's your planner's job to know exactly what to do in these situations and yours really came through for you. I would give her an excellent review. Which artist did you end up going with? Is it the one who did your makeup in your profile photo? You should leave her an excellent review as well for coming through for you the day of.

View Quoted Comment

Yes, my planner Cristina of Carismas Party Planning was amazing. I left her a 5-star review on every site she asked me to. My makeup artist was Kasia of Beautiful U and I also left her a glowing review.

Speaking of my wedding planner, check out the blog she wrote about my wedding:

https://www.carismasdesign.com/blog-1/where-there-is-love-there-is-life-full-wedding-plan-courtnee-and-richard-march-31-2019?fbclid=IwAR21ujN7KEULpKwZem4sQYCY1ImjsCWKaKtsL6KC080leDHy51M77iFV4pE